One of our goals in the IEC is to bring together international and domestic students. We offer a variety of on-campus programming opportunities and events to build an intercultural-oriented community. Participate in our programs and events to connect with your peers and make friends. Meet with other students who share your interests and experiences while making long-lasting memories and friendships in the process.
Some programs are designed to support international students; however, all students are welcome.
The Global and Intercultural Fluency Training Series (GIFTS) will help students to develop their leadership and communication skills in facilitating cultural relations. In our rapidly changing and interconnected world, learning and understanding how to work and build relationships with diverse and intercultural environments are imperative skills for success. These sessions will guide students through critical reflection on their personal self-identity and their relationship and impact on local, national, and global scales. Join in on the deep discussions, activities, and personal and professional growth opportunities! GIFTS is offered through different formats (frequency of delivery: condensed vs. weekly or modality: in-person vs. virtual). Please check below for the format.
Program Schedule:
- Tuesday, June 25th, 10am - 2pm
- Wednesday, June 26th, time TBD
- Thursday, June 27th, 12pm - 3pm
Students will receive the following upon completion of the program:
- Certificate of Participation
- Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI) Assessment (value of $20) and an individual coaching session
- CCR recognition*
- Celebration lunch
- Off-campus volunteer experience
*To receive CCR recognition, participants MUST complete ALL of the following requirements:
- Attend ALL 3 sessions
Join the International Education Centre (IEC), along with on-campus partners, UofT faculty and community members during International Education Week (IEW) to celebrate all things global! Students will be able to meet new people, develop a global and intercultural mindset, and learn about the benefits of internationalizing their student experience! Come and attend the various events that will be taking place through the week of November 13th to November 18th. Register for these amazing events on CLNx now and join the IEC in celebrating diversity, culture and international education at UTM!
Want to Earn Co-Curricular Record (CCR)?
UTM Students who attend 3 or more events during the week of IEW can submit a 1-2 page reflection paper answering any of the following questions in order to earn CCR:
- Why is interculturalism important to our society?
- What are the benefits of having a global mindset and how will you use it in your everyday life?
- What is 1 new thing you learned about yourself, culture, and international education from participating in IEW 2023?
Reflections can be submitted via email to: rebeca.mahadeo@utoronto.ca by December 1st, 2023.
IEW 2023 Events
Monday, November 13th
Exchange Stories
Zumba Dancing with the Latin Students Association - Registration CLOSED
Taste of Cultures - Registration CLOSED
UTM International Education Centre and Hart House co-present a multi-session journey to explore and expand our understanding of how food informs culture and wellness. Each session will be an interactive conversation, led by a food and culture expert who will share a recipe that is significant to their culture and personal history.
Students, staff, faculty and alumni from all U of T campuses are encouraged to join us to explore the many ways food teaches us about culture and how food creates community, while also learning a tasty recipe and skills to help you in the kitchen.
This session is 2 hours long and will include a live cooking demonstration, recipe sharing, open discussion, cooking tips and tricks and of course indulging in a delicious meal!
Tuesday, November 14th
L'Image Exhibit
Caribbean Lyme: Steel Pan Event - Registration CLOSED
International Movie Night - Registration CLOSED
Wednesday, November 15th
International Education Fair - Visit us in the CCT atrium from 11am - 2pm to delight in the cultures of our campus!
Learn to Play: Lacrosse - Registration CLOSED
Come learn how to play Canada's summer sport: Lacrosse! This is a movement-based event, come ready to participate!
Thursday, November 16th:
Embracing Linguistic Diversity - Registration CLOSED
Language is intimately tied to your identity. Whether it be the phonology, the inventory of words, or the structure of sentences that you have, language is a communicator of who you are as a person. In this lecture, we will explore how there is no "right" way to be a language user. No variety of language is "broken": All varieties of language have systematic rules. Come find out how various languages work from a scientific perspective and experience how complex, dynamic, and intriguing the linguistic expression of self can be.
International Sports Trivia - Registration CLOSED
This is a fun and social event to test your knowledge in a friendly competition on international sports! Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, November 18th:
Hart House Farm Trip: Culture and Wellness - POSTPONED until further notice
Please join us for a day in an outdoor restorative retreat at the Hart House Farm! Our Outdoor Wellness Retreat will be focusing on the connection between Culture and Wellness. This initiative is brought to you by: Hart House, The UTSG Centre for International Experience, and the UTM International Education Centre, along with the Well Being Collective @ Hart House for Indigenous, Black and Racialized students. Students will be exposed to the outdoors, connect with nature and spirituality through reflective meditations and non-Western cultural wellness activities, while building community.
Specific itinerary details will be provided shortly. The bus will pick up students outside of Convocation Hall at 8:45 a.m. for those close to UTSG.
For those closer to UTM campus, the bus will pick up in front of the RAWC and drop students back on- campus at around 6:30 p.m. Registration is $10 and meals and snacks will be provided.
Registration will open June 2024!
Are you an international student, permanent resident, new immigrant, or exchange student looking to make connections with upper-year students on campus and meet new people from around the world?
The International Student Mentorship (ISMP) program is for you! With ISMP, you will be paired up with an upper-year mentor that will support you as you transition into Canada and UTM. Connect with upper-year students, meet other mentees, and build a network that will help you make the most out of your experience!
Benefits of joining this program:
- Expand your network and meet new people from around the world with similar interests;
- Benefit from the support and experiences of upper-year domestic and international students and learn how to get involved on campus;
- Have support in regards to culture, language, and life at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and the City of Mississauga;
- Both mentors and incoming students will receive Co-Curricular Record (CCR) credit and a certificate of completion for participation in the program.
How does the International Student Mentorship Program work?
- Students are connected with an upper-year mentor and receive one-on-one guidance.
- Mentors and mentees communicate over the course of 8 weeks asking questions and providing information.
- The IEC organizes a variety of events for mentees and mentors to participate in such as socials and a panel.
- Completion of a minimum number of activities will earn CCR notation and a certificate of completion.
For questions or concerns, please email us at international.utm@utoronto.ca.
*Please note: you will need an active uTORid to complete your registration. For information on how to activate your uTORid, click here.
Log in to CLNx to register for upcoming sessions and trips
Are you new to Canada or have not had the chance to explore the country but want to learn more, such as about Canada’s peoples and places, food and culture, holidays and landmarks, seasons and weather as well as meet peers and go on fun trips to explore your new home away for home?
Then this program is for YOU!
Join us for exciting trips filled with learning and fun as we explore Canada from all aspects.
Students participating in at least 3 series will be eligible for Co-Curricular Record notation.
Some experiences to look forward to:
Trip to Niagara Falls (September)
Understanding indigenous cultures and traditions with a trip to the 6 nations tourism (October)
Energize your sporty spirit with a trip to a Toronto Marlies hockey game! (October)
Join other peers to do winter clothes shopping and explore the Christmas market (November)
Food tasting: Snack on Canadian foods and chat about the cuisine with fellow peers (November)
Ignite your cultural curiosity with a visit to the Aga Khan Museum! (January)
Fuel your sense of wonder with a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum (March)
& Lots more.
Register and learn about these events on the IEC calendar:
https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home/utmieceventaggregator.htm
For all questions and feedback regarding Canada, Eh? please contact us at international.utm@utoronto.ca
Practice your English conversation skills in an informal and social group setting with other language learners as well as native English speakers.
These peer-led circles will give you the opportunity to learn with and among people from around the world while practicing your language skills in a fun, relaxed, and creative environment.
This is also a recognized program on the Co-Curricular Record if participants attend a minimum of 4 sessions in our summer schedule:
Dates for Summer 2024 English Language Conversation Circles:
- Dates:
- Wednesday May 22nd, 2024: 2pm - 3pm
- Wednesday May 29th, 2024: 2pm - 3pm
- Wednesday June 5th, 2024: 2pm - 3pm
- Wednesday June 12th, 2024: 2pm - 3pm
- Thursday July 11th, 2024: 12pm - 1pm
- Thursday July 18th, 2024: 12pm - 1pm
- Thursday July 25th, 2024: 12pm - 1pm
- Thursday August 1st, 2024: 12pm - 1pm
- Thursday August 8th, 2024: 12pm - 1pm
Location:
- MN5128 (unless stated otherwise in the event sign-up)
Please email us at international.utm@utoronto.ca if you have any questions.
Are you a first year international student looking for an exclusive opportunity to learn how you can succeed academically and personally and get ALL the information about career planning and immigration expectations in ONE day?
Look no further!
On Saturday, October 21, 2023, in MN, the International Education Centre is inviting you to partake in THRIVE IN – Professional Development for International Students! This program is geared towards first- and second-year international students to give them awareness and familiarize them with the resources available to assist in their university experience.
In just ONE day:
- Learn how to navigate and succeed in the Canadian academic system
- Participate in workshops that will equip you with the academic, professional and personal skills that will help you succeed in your undergraduate career
- Meet recent alumni and learn about their undergraduate journeys
- Network with UTM alumni, current upper year students, and peers
- Get CCR and Certificate of Completion
As a result of participating in THRIVE-IN, students will:
- Learn how to navigate the Canadian academic system
- Learn more about essential resources available for them to succeed throughout their undergraduate and achieve their goals
- Learn how to plan for their career and academic goals
THRIVE 2023 Schedule
| Time | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 am — 10:00 am | Registration & Breakfast Location: MN Grand Hall (Lobby) | |
| 10:00 am — 10:15 am | Opening Remarks Location: MN 1210 | |
| 10:15 am — 10:30 am | Land Acknowledgments Facilitated by the IEC's Student Development Coordinator of Intercultural Programs, Rebeca who will guide you through the importance and origin or land acknowledgments. As well as their importance in campus life. | |
| 10:30 am —11:00 am | International Student Journey: From Study Permit to Post Graduation Work Permit Facilitated by the IEC's Assistant Director of International Student Supports, Cristina who will explain your immigration journey from where you are now, in your first year, to what you can expect over the next 4 years and more! | |
| 11:00 am - 12:30 pm | Navigating Canadian Academics (i) University Culture Facilitated by IEC's International Student Advisor, Sherice will walk you through the nuances of Canadian university culture. Topics include university resources such as: taking advantage of office hours, going to Teaching Assistant office hours to seek extra support and more!
(ii) In-class engagement Facilitated by IEC's Student Development Coordinator of Intercultural Programs, Rebeca who will walk you through the nuances of in-class participation. Topics include navigating in-class participation, power structures in the classroom, intercultural learning and more!
(iii) Academic Integrity Facilitated by the IEC's student staff, Nicole Lacambra and Motasem Almesri, will walk you through academic integrity expectations in Canada, as compared to various education systems around the world. Topics include sharing lecture notes, group assignments, using AI in the classroom and more! Location: MN 1210 | |
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Lunch Time Location: MN Grand Hall | |
| 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | A Taste of TCP Facilitated by IEC's International Student Advisor, Sherice and IEC student staff who will guide you through what you can expect from our Transition Coaching Program. Topics include maintaining healthy habits, setting actionable goals, community engagement and more! Location: MN 1210 | |
| 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Get Experience and Get Involved Facilitated by IEC's Employment Strategist, Lucy will walk you through all the necessary components of finding volunteer or work experience as a student. This includes where to look for job opportunities, how to market your pre-university skills, the benefits of earning CCR and more! These are especially important for those looking to stay in Canada after graduation. Location: MN 1210 | |
| 3:30 pm — 3:45 pm | Coffee Break The IEC has invited alumni from different industries to share lessons they learned along the way. Students will get a chance to ask their burning questions. Location: MN Grand Hall | |
| 3:45 pm — 4:30 pm | Student Experience Panel Learn about and ask questions of a panel of upper year students, student staff and recent graduates. They will be able to reflect on their student experience, how they overcame the challenges they faced and more! Location: MN 1210 | |
| 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Refreshments and Mingle Location: MN Grand Hall |
Are you an upper-year international student looking for an exclusive opportunity to develop professional and personal skills and get ALL the information about career planning and immigration in ONE day?
Look no further!
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, in MN, the International Education Centre is inviting you to partake in THRIVE-OUT: Professional Development Conference for International Students! This program is tailored for upper-year and graduating international students to provide you with all the essential skills and information you require to plan your next steps
In just ONE day:
- Receive all the important information about your next steps in terms of immigration and career planning and getting your PR
- Participate in workshops that will equip you with professional skills that can be added to your resumes
- Meet recent alumni and learn about their career journeys
- Network with staff, alumni, and peers
- Get CCR
As a result of participating in THRIVE-OUT, students will:
- Learn about the immigration essentials of staying in Canada after graduation and eventually getting their PR
- Learn more about essential resources available for them to prepare for future careers and achieve their goals
THRIVE-OUT 2024 Schedule
| Time | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Part I: Key Information | ||
| 9:00 am — 9:30 am | Registration & Breakfast Location: MN Grand Hall (Lobby) | |
| 9:30 am — 9:40 am | Opening Remarks Location: MN 1270 | |
| 9:40 am — 10:30 am | International Student Journey: From Study Permit to Permanent Resident including Q&A Facilitated by the IEC’s International Students Immigration Advisor, Mindy will talk you through the process of obtaining your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)and the necessary criteria to eventually apply for your Permanent Residency permit (PR). Location: MN1270 | |
| 10:30 am —10:40 am | Coffee Break | |
| Part II: Transitioning Out of Undergraduate | ||
| 10:40 – 11:30 am | Adulting 101: Leaving or Living in Canada Facilitated by the IEC’s International Student Transition Coach, Sherice will walk you through the logistics of deciding to either stay or leave Canada after graduation. This session will cover navigating the housing crisis, health insurance and other essential information. | |
| 11:30 am – 12:15 pm | Adulting 101: Money Matters… Your Financial Future Facilitated by a finance professional who works with UofT from TD bank, they will walk you through everything related to your finances. This includes investing as an international student, your RRSP, your RESP, budgeting, pension, and more! | |
| 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm | Connect and Reflect Facilitated by the IEC's Supervisor, Intercultural Fluency and International Student Development, Rebeca will guide you through a reflection and celebration of your journey at UTM. Location: MN 1270 | |
| 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm | Lunch and LinkedIn pictures Free and catered lunch and refreshments. Location: MN Grand Hall | |
| Part III: Career Development and Networking | ||
| 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm | Career Know-Hows for International Students Facilitated by the IEC’s Employment Strategist, Lucy will walk you through all the necessary components of finding the perfect job. This includes enhancing your network skills, job negotiation, navigating the Canadian job market, and more! For those thinking of leaving Canada, Lucy will also go over the importance of developing a global network and having Canadian work experience. Location: MN1270 | |
| 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Breaking Barriers Panel with Employers A panel of employers will be moderated by the IEC’s employment strategist, Lucy. This panel will answer your most pressing questions about the traits and skills they look for in potential hires. They will also discuss the advantages of hiring international students and the challenges they have seen their international employees and colleagues face and more! | |
| 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm | Alumni Career Speed-Networking Facilitated by the IEC’s Student Development Coordinator, Zarina, you will get the chance to meet invited alumni and employers from different industries to share lessons they learned along the way as well as answer your burning questions in a round of speed-networking. Location: MN Grand Hall | |
Meet Our 2024 Alumni Guests:
| Adwet Sharma Adwet (He/Him) currently works as a Senior Program Manager of Government Affairs at Edelman Global Advisory, a leading international public affairs firm which helps clients navigate evolving geopolitics, build trust, and achieve business success. Find out more about Adwet at www.linkedin.com/in/adwet-sharma/ |
| Anil Wasif [UTM Class of 2017 | HBA in Economics, Master of Public Policy] Anil (He/Him) currently works as a Manager of Research at Infrastructure Ontario and is the Co-Founder and Director of Strategy at BacharLorai, a social impact agency empowering Bangladeshis worldwide, through community building, policy research and signature initiatives. Find out more about Anil at www.linkedin.com/in/anilwasif |
| Thaisa T. Sant'Ana [UTM Class of 2023 valedictorian | HBSc Biotechnology Specialist] Thaisa (She/Her) is currently working as a Research Analyst at KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. At KITE, Thaisa created educational infographics on sex and gender topics in traumatic brain injury and worked on a research project on community integration after traumatic brain injuries. Find out more about Thaisa at www.linkedin.com/in/thaisa-tylinski-santana/ |
| Tasya Nathanael [UTM Class of 2023 valedictorian | HBSc Biotechnology Specialist ] Tasya (They/Them) currently works as the Student Services Hub Welcome Desk Coordinator at UTM. Previously, they has worked as the Programs Assistant for Academic Initiatives at the Centre for Community Partnerships at UofT St. George. Find out more about Tasya at www.linkedin.com/in/tasya-n-31128122b/ |
| Joshua Dingani Mvunga [UTM Class of 2022 | HBSc in Neuroscience] Joshua (He/They) currently works as a Community, Health and Education Associate for the Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth and Family Mental Health and the Tay Cohort Study. Prior to their current role, they were a research analyst at CAMH for a pan-Canadian implementation study aimed at providing youth with education and employment support. |
| Ahad Syed [UTM Class of 2019 | Bachelors of Commerce, Accounting Specialist] Ahad (He/Him) is a Zimbabwean UTM alum who currently works at the Office of the Dean at UTM as the Program & Curriculum Assistant. He has previously worked as a Pathways Associate at PWC Canada and as a Curriculum Support Officer at UTM. Find out more about Ahad at www.linkedin.com/in/ahadsyed7 |
| Jesica Kuruvilla [UTM Class of 2021 | BBA in Management Specialist] Jesica (She/Her) is currently working as the Program Coordinator for the Department of Management at UTM after completing her Bachelor’s of Business Administration. She has worked in Academic HR and has supported student groups and faculty in her roles. Find out more about Jesica at www.linkedin.com/in/jesicakuruvilla/ |
Introducing the L'IMAGE Project, a collaboration between the International Education Centre and Professor Ai Taniguchi of the Department of Language Studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga!
What's it about? Centred on linguistic empowerment, the project celebrates the diversity of our U of T students. By translating their stories and lived experiences into comics, we'll be contributing toward intercultural competency, empathy, and awareness that all forms of language are valid.
How does it work? A group of students volunteer to share their stories about the languages that they speak, and what role language has in their identity and everyday life. These stories will be illustrated as comics, complemented by infographics about language from the expert perspective of a linguist.
Why comics? Comics make information dissemination accessible: they are easy to read, understand, and share! As a tool that can be used widely across the three campuses, these comics can amplify the voices of linguistic-diverse and culture-diverse students at U of T.
What's the goal? We hope that U of T students see the shared and the different: there will be both linguistic experiences that they can relate to and ones they’ve never lived through. By finding common ground and seeing new perspectives, students’ linguistic and cultural viewpoints will be widened.
Scroll below to read our comics and visit lingcomics.com for more details!
Dinner and Dialogues
The Dinner and Dialogues Series invites you to explore cultural celebrations through food and dialogue. Each event in this series offers an opportunity to taste authentic dishes from diverse cultures while engaging in meaningful conversations about traditions, values, and community. Join us as we celebrate cultural diversity, foster intercultural understanding, and create connections that transcend borders.
Registration Information:
Registration Fee: Participants are required to pay a $10 fee to register for each event.
Registration details for each event will be updated closer to the date. Stay tuned for more information on how to participate in these enriching cultural experiences!
Caribbean Carnival
Date: February 2025 (TBD)
Time and Location: To be determined
Description: Immerse yourself in Caribbean culture through flavorful dishes and festive vibes celebrating Caribana. Experience the spirit of Caribbean traditions and enjoy lively discussions with fellow participants.
Christmas
Dates: December 5th or 6th (TBD)
Time and Location: To be determined
Description: Celebrate the holiday season with diverse Christmas traditions and culinary delights from around the world. Join us for a festive feast and meaningful discussions on global holiday traditions.
Christmas is a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed on December 25th each year. It's a time for religious observance, joyful gatherings with family and friends, gift-giving, and festive decorations such as Christmas trees, lights, and ornaments. Santa Claus, caroling, and holiday movies are also integral parts of the celebration.
Diwali
Dates: October 17th or 24th (TBD)
Time and Location: To be determined
Description: Experience the vibrant festival of lights with traditional Diwali dishes and engaging conversations. Discover the cultural significance of Diwali through shared stories and dialogue.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is among the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated worldwide. Lasting five days, it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. People decorate their homes with diyas (oil lamps), burst fireworks, exchange sweets, and perform prayers to deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
Lunar New Year
Dates: January 18th or 25th (TBD)
Time and Location: To be determined
Description: Ring in the Lunar New Year with special dishes symbolizing prosperity and cultural significance. Explore the flavours and traditions of the Lunar New Year while engaging in cultural conversations.
Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in many Asian cultures. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. It is celebrated with family reunions, feasting on symbolic foods like dumplings and fish, giving red envelopes (hongbao) with money, and participating in colourful parades and dragon dances.
Eid and Navrus
Date: April 3rd (TBD)
Time and Location: To be determined
Description: Commemorate Eid and Navrus with traditional delicacies and engaging discussions on cultural heritage. Delve into the culinary delights and cultural significance of Eid and Navrus in a welcoming atmosphere.
Nawruz, also spelled Nowruz, is the Persian New Year celebrated by various communities in the Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond. It marks the arrival of spring and is observed with festivities that include cleaning homes, visiting family and friends, preparing special foods, and participating in rituals that symbolize renewal and rebirth. On the other hand, Eid refers to Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, two major Islamic holidays. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, fasting month, with prayers, feasting, and charity. Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God and involves prayers, animal sacrifice, and sharing meat with the less fortunate. Both Nawruz and Eid are joyous occasions marked by cultural traditions, community gatherings, and acts of generosity.
Thanksgiving or Fall Feast
Dates: October 3rd or 10th (TBD)
Time and Location: To be determined
Description: Join us for a festive gathering celebrating Thanksgiving or Fall Feast with a focus on cultural cuisine and meaningful dialogues. Experience a diverse spread of cultural dishes and engage in enriching conversations!
